WRITER: Kim Callahan

'It is killing people': The fentanyl crisis in Lawrence is on the rise and 'it’s everywhere in the city'

In May of last year, the Lawrence Police Department warned the community about a potent drug that was killing area residents. It was not the usual “stay away from drugs” message directed at teens, but something far more urgent and directed at everyone: “About three to five grains of table salt — that’s the potential fatal dose of fentanyl for an adult,” a department news release stated. “We’re ...

Lawrence's Boog Highberger says this will be his last term in Kansas House

Democratic lawmaker Dennis “Boog” Highberger, of Lawrence, does not intend to seek another term in the Kansas Legislature after his current term expires, he told the Journal-World Wednesday. Highberger, who recently won reelection — unopposed — to the 46th District in the Kansas House of Representatives, was first elected to that body in 2015, taking over the seat vacated by Paul Davis, who chose to ...

Affidavits provide further details in arson cases, including extent of damage: more than $1 million

A woman who has been charged with setting multiple fires at North Lawrence businesses — one of which reportedly caused more than $1 million in damage — just days earlier was responsible for a serious structure fire at a west Lawrence business, according to a newly released affidavit in the case. On the morning of Nov. 13, according to the affidavit, which details probable cause for her arrest, Abie ...

Lead role in Theatre Lawrence's 'Cinderella' an actual dream come true for KU law student

When Maggie Shermoen graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in theater, she figured on moving to New York to try her hand at professional acting. Shermoen had lived and breathed the stage from a young age — one might almost say from conception, considering her musical-loving parents met while performing in a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.” But just as she was ...

Man arrested on suspicion of robbery, other crimes after allegedly stealing Lawrence woman's cellphone by force

A Topeka man was arrested Thursday evening in eastern Lawrence after he allegedly stole a woman's cellphone by force and injured a person who was attempting to help the woman. The man, Anthony Duane Harris, 56, was arrested early on Thanksgiving evening in the 1600 block of Haskell Avenue on suspicion of robbery, aggravated assault and battery. According to Laura McCabe, a spokesperson for the Lawrence Police ...

Kansas City man pleads no contest to aggravated assault on Lawrence police officer

A Kansas City, Missouri, man on Tuesday pleaded no contest in Douglas County District Court to assaulting a police officer. The man, Carlos Garcia Gaspar, 43, entered the plea to one felony count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer as part of a plea deal that saw multiple other felony charges being dropped. The case against Gaspar arose on Aug. 30, when he was alleged to have damaged a car and ...